40 Budget Travel Tips Every Wanderlust Should Know

40 Budget Travel Tips Every Wanderlust Should Know

If you’re missing the road, what better time than now to begin preparations for the next great adventure? But before you get too far into your planning, be sure to check out these great tips and websites to avoid paying too much. These will make saving cash a breeze!

General Budget Travel Advice

1. Stay far away from touristy restaurants and instead go down a few blocks and eat where the locals do.

2. Travel during the low-peak season and avoid traveling during the summer and around holidays.

3. Enjoy a nice picnic instead of eating out. You can experience the local culture’s day-to-day activities, as well, by shopping in their grocery stores.

4. If you’re traveling between countries, try to do as much buying of needed items as possible in the cheaper countries where your dollar can stretch farther, then avoid the souvenirs in the more expensive ones.

5. Understand what your options are for rail passes, especially if you’re in Europe.

6. Buses are the best method of transportation if you’re just trying to get around a city. They are your cheapest option outside of walking.

7. If you do drive though, be careful where you park. If a thief recognizes a tourist’s car they are much more likely to break into it.

8. Use a wallet-friendly airline. Europe has very competitive airlines and that drives down the price. In many instances you can get a flight to another city for less than the price of a rail pass.

9. Negotiate deals. You can always ask for a cheaper price on the phone with your airline or hotel.

10. Use a museum pass. Many of the passes will pay for themselves and you will be able to keep coming back.

11. Bring a water bottle. Paying for pop and water adds up quickly and that money can get you another night in a hostel every week!

12. If you’re in a hot environment and you have the option, stay at a hostel that only offers cold running water instead of hot and cold. It’s cheaper and you probably won’t be feeling like a hot shower anyway.

13. Hotels generally have a ton of extra toothbrushes, paste, shaving cream, razors, and even phone chargers. Ask if you can have them before you go out and buy them yourself.

14. Go where the dollar is strong. You’ll be able to get a much bigger bang for your buck and be able to extend your trip by weeks or months.

15. Take advantage of complimentary breakfasts to get as much food as possible and save some for snacks later.

16. Bakeries generally offer half-priced goods at the end of the day to keep things fresh. It’s a great way to get some good food for little outlay.

17. Always look to get free admission to museums and other local activities that may be going on.

18. Don’t go overboard on souvenirs and instead buy something like a postcard or just take your own photos. Plus, the extra weight can add up, as backpackers will know.

19. Do things as a group if possible. Whether that’s carpooling or going on a tour, you can typically get better deals.

20. Don’t take what you don’t need. The extra weight will cost you when you’re boarding the plane and anything you need can be bought cheaply when you arrive.

21. Plan out your day so you know where your money will be going. You don’t have to plan the whole trip, but looking over your day in the morning is a great way to cut costs.

22. Get travel insurance before you leave. While it does cost money, it’s totally worth it if you get injured, and can end up saving you a lot in the long run.

23. If you’re traveling by train, take the night train. It will save on accommodation and once you’re used to it, sleeping won’t be a problem on them.

24. If you plan on visiting a tourist town, stay next door and take public transit into the town. The prices will be much cheaper in the town over.

Traveler, university student, tea-drinker, writer, and health nut. Clay is the author of "101 Killer Budget Travel Tips To Save You Thousands," which he gives away for free on his website headedabroad.com. Headed Abroad is a cool little travel website that is filled with budget travel tips.